Brothers on the Mend

At last -- a book, written by a black man, for black men and women who want less conflict in their relationships and better ways to deal with anger.

Although the unique problems of black men are not new, they have been habitually discussed without solid suggestions for change -- until now. Psychologist Ernest Johnson, who has been helping black men cope with anger -- including his own -- for more than a decade, offers hope and answers. He shows how anger can be used -- rather than avoided -- to build a life filled with love, self-respect, and peace. Exploring the sources of frustration particular to black men today, Dr. Johnson offers prescriptions for managing anger and coping with stress. Changing thought patterns -- and actions -- begins with learning how to:

Identify camouflaged anger -- rage that may be repressed or diverted into harmful behaviors, such as excessive smoking, alcohol or drug use, poor eating habits, or risky sexual conduct

Build on friendliness, happiness, trust, and compassion to achieve a committed relationship with a black woman

Recognize the real origins of tense, hurt, or helpless feelings -- the first step toward change

Use simple techniques, such as meditation and time-outs, to stop anger before it takes control

Move from anger to problem-solving

Heal the wounds of the past

Contrary to popular belief, the most powerful part of a man is his feelings. "Brothers on the Mend" shows African-American men how to heal themselves -- and those who love them -- by embracing the feelings that will set them free.